Cable tie

ABSTRACT

A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cable ties, and, more specifically, to releasable and reusable cable ties.

BACKGROUND ART

Cable ties have long been used by electricians and other tradespeople as a fast, simple and reliable method for holding together a number of cables, pipes, conduits and the like.

Typically, cable ties comprise a long flexible tail portion connected to a head portion. In use, the tail of the cable tie is pushed into a slot in the head portion and pulled through to tighten around the cables or pipes to be held. The head portion typically comprises a locking lug which engages with grooves on one side of the tail to prevent the cable tie from loosening or releasing when in use.

Most standard cable ties are single-use only, as there is no mechanism by which the cable tie may be released when no longer required. Typically, the only way to remove a standard cable tie is to cut it, effectively destroying the cable tie, and potentially damaging the cables or wires held by the cable tie. In addition, when cutting a cable tie holding live electrical cables, accidental damage to the cables could also result in a worker receiving an electric shock or even being electrocuted.

Some attempts have been made to produce reusable cable ties. However, the additional manufacturing costs of producing cable ties with complex release mechanisms make these cable ties more expensive than the single-use variety. Further, existing releasable cable ties often require the use of two hands to release. This is inconvenient in use, especially if the cable tie is positioned in a region of restricted access and/or restricted vision.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a cable tie which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the present invention resides in a cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough.

Preferably, a passageway formed in said head portion tapers from said first slot to said opening.

Preferably, the cable tie comprises a second slot, being in communication with both said first slot and said opening, said second slot allowing an end of said flexible tail portion, which has been passed through said first slot, to be looped around and a portion of the flexible tail portion to be retained in said second slot.

Preferably, at least a portion of an upper wall of at least one of said first and second slots slopes upwardly towards said opening.

In some embodiments of the invention, a least a portion of an upper wall on each side of the opening slopes upwardly towards said opening in at least one of said first and second slots. In this embodiment of the invention, the opening located between the sloping portions may be of any suitable dimensions. In some embodiments, however, the sloping portions may converge adjacent one another to produce a narrow opening. In some embodiments of the invention, the sloping portions may converge to within very close proximity of one another such that deformation of the sloping portions is required when it is desired to remove the flexible tail portion of the cable tie through the opening. In this embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the deformation of the sloping portions is an elastic deformation. In this way, the cable tie may be reusable. While the sloping portions may converge to within close proximity of one another, it is preferred that the sloping portions do not come into contact with one another.

In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of said first and second slots may comprise one or more land portions. The one or more land portions may be adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion within the slot Preferably the one or more land portions are located in an upper wall of the first or second slots. The one or more land potions may be of any suitable shape or size. For instance, the one or more land portions may comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends generally parallel to a bottom wall of the slot. Preferably, the one or more land portions comprise a portion of the upper wall that extends inwardly from an outermost region of the slot. Most preferably, the one or more land portions extend horizontally inwardly from an outermost region of the slot.

In embodiments of the invention in which a portion of the upper wall of the first or second slots slopes upwardly towards the opening, it is preferred that the sloping portion of the upper wall is located intermediate a land and the opening. In some embodiments of the invention, each of said first and second slots includes one land portion located on either side of the opening.

By providing the slots with one or more land portions, the likelihood of the accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening may be reduced or even eliminated.

The flexible tail portion of the cable tie comprises a lower surface, which engages with retaining means in said first slot, and an upper surface. This upper surface may be flat, comprise beveled edges or sloping upper walls. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the flexible tail portion is arcuate in order to facilitate the removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening.

Preferably the retaining means located in the first slot comprises one or more locking lugs. The one or more locking lugs engage with a series of grooves located on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie to retain said flexible tail portion in place when in use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, both upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion of the cable tie are provided with a series of grooves for engaging with one or more locking lugs. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the flexible tail portion is provided with side portions interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces. While the side portions may be of any suitable shape and configuration, in some embodiments of the invention, the side portions are rounded. Alternatively, the side portions may be beveled. The side portions may be provided with a series of grooves. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the series of grooves provided on the side portions may be provided with the same spacing as the grooves located on the lower and/or upper surfaces of the flexible tail portion.

Preferably, said first slot comprises a plurality of locking lugs located to facilitate engagement with the grooves on both upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion. In embodiments of the invention in which the side portions of the flexible tail portion are provided with a series of grooves, the first slot may further comprise one or more retaining means (for instance, in the form of locking lugs) adapted to engage with the grooves on one or more of the side portions.

The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured from any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the cable tie is manufactured from nylon.

The cable tie of the present invention may be manufactured to a large variety of lengths and widths to suit a wide variety of different applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A illustrates a head portion of a cable tie according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the lower surface of a flexible tail portion of a cable tie;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the head portion of a cable tie according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of an end of a cable tie in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the end of the cable tie as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cable tie in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a cable tie in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown a cable tie 10 of the present invention. The cable tie 10 comprises a flexible tail portion 11 and a head portion 12. The head portion 12 comprises a first slot 13 through which the flexible tail portion 11 may be passed. The flexible tail portion 11 is retained in place in the first slot 13 by retaining means comprising a locking lug 14. The first slot 13 is in communication with an opening 15 in an outer wall 16 of the head portion 12. When a user wishes to release the cable tie 10, the flexible tail portion 11 may be either pulled directly out through the opening 15, or may be pulled out with a twisting motion.

An alternative arrangement is shown in FIG. 1A, in which the passageway between the first slot 13 and the opening 15 in an outer wall 16 is defined by sloping walls 26. In this embodiment of the invention, the slot 13 is provided with a pair of lands 27 located on an upper wall of the slot 13, with one land 27 provided on each side of the opening 15. Lands 27 extend in a generally horizontal direction. In this embodiment of the invention, the sloping portions 26 of the upper wall are located intermediate the lands 27 and the opening 15. In this way, the flexible tail portion (not shown) may be more effectively retained within the slot 13 due to the presence of the lands 27 which prevent the unwanted or accidental removal of the flexible tail portion (not shown) through the opening 15, as the flexible tail portion (not shown) cannot simply slip through the opening 15.

Turning to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lower surface 17 of the flexible tail portion 11 is shown. The lower surface 17 is provided with a series of grooves 18 which engage with the locking lug 14 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the head portion 12 comprises a first slot 13 and a second slot 19. The first slot comprises a locking lug 14 for engagement with grooves on the lower surface of the flexible tail portion (not shown). The head portion 12 comprises an opening 15 in an outer wall 16, through which the flexible tail portion may be pulled to release the cable tie.

In conventional cable ties, excess flexible tail portion that has been passed through a first slot may simply be left as is. However, this is not only unsightly, but may also be hazardous in situations where cable ties are used in close proximity to machinery with moving parts. Alternatively, the excess flexible tail portion may be cut off, which eliminates the risk of the excess flexible tail portion becoming caught in machinery, but also damages the cable tie such that it cannot be reused.

By contrast, the cable tie of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 3, allows the user to pass the end of the flexible tail member into the second slot 19 to ensure that the excess flexible tail portion does not become a safety hazard. This also ensures that there is no need to damage the cable tie by cutting off the excess flexible tail portion, meaning that the cable tie can be reused.

It is also shown in FIG. 3 that the upper wall 20 of the first slot 13 as well of the upper wall 21 of the second slot 19 slope upwardly towards the opening 15 in order to assist with the quick release of the flexible tail portion from the first slot 13.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The head portion 12 comprises a first slot 13 and a second slot 19. The flexible tail portion 12 of the cable tie is passed through the first slot 13 and retained in place by three locking lugs 14 which engage with grooves (not shown) located on both the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion 12. The upper surface 25 of the flexible tail portion 12 is arcuate in shape, while the upper wall 22 of the first slot 13 and the upper wall 23 of the second slot 19 slope upwardly towards the opening 15 in the outer wall 16 of the head portion 12.

When the flexible tail portion 12 is retained in place in the first slot 13, the tip 24 of the flexible tail portion is passed through the second slot 19 in order to prevent the excess tail portion becoming entangled with moving machinery.

In order to quickly and easily release the cable tie for reuse, the tip of the flexible tail portion 24 may be withdrawn from the second slot 19. Following this, the flexible tail portion 12 may be released by pulling it up through the opening 15 with a twisting motion. Thus, the cable tie is quickly released without damage, ensuring that it may be used again.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the upper surface 25 of the flexible tail portion 12 has sloped sides. Locking lugs 14 engage with grooves (not shown) located on upper 25 and lower surfaces of the flexible tail portion 12, thereby retaining the cable tie in place.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show various views of the end of a cable tie in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

In these Figures, a cable tie 28 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The cable tie 28 comprises a head portion 29 and a flexible tail portion 30. The head portion 29 comprises a first slot 31 through which the flexible tail portion 30 may be passed. The flexible tail portion 30 is retained in place in the first slot 31 by retaining means comprising a locking lug 32 adapted to engage with the series of grooves 39 provided on the flexible tail portion 30. The first slot 31 further comprises a pair of land portions 33 in the wall of the slot 31 that extend inwardly from the outermost region of the slot 31. Land portions 33 extend in a generally horizontal direction. The land portions 33 are provided such that one land portion 33 is provided on each side of an opening 34 in the wall of the slot 31. The wall of the first slot 31 further comprises sloping portions 35 located intermediate the lands 33 and the opening 34.

The sloping portions 35 converge adjacent one another such that the opening 34 is only narrow. By providing only a narrow opening 34, the likelihood of accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion 30 through the opening 34 is reduced. In this embodiment of the invention, an elastic deformation of the sloping portions 35 is required in order to remove the flexible tail portion 30 through the opening 34.

The head portion 29 of the cable tie 28 further comprises a second slot 36 into which the flexible tail portion 30 may be inserted after it has been passed through slot 31 and then looped around. The second slot 36 comprises a pair of land portions 37 adapted to retain the flexible tail portion 30 within the slot 36. In addition, the second slot 36 comprises an opening 38 in an outer wall of the head portion 29. The flexible tail portion 30 retained in both the first slot 31 and he second slot 36 may be removed from the head portion 29 through the opening 38 when release of the cable tie 28 is desired.

In FIG. 8 there is shown a cable tie 40 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The cable tie 40 comprises a head portion 41 and a flexible tail portion 42. The head portion 40 comprises a first slot 43 through which the flexible tail portion 42 may be passed. The flexible tail portion 42 is retained in place in the first slot 43 by retaining means comprising a locking lug 54 adapted to engage with the series of grooves (obscured) provided on the flexible tail portion 42. The first slot 43 further comprises a pair of land portions 44 in the wall of the slot 43 that extend inwardly from the outermost region of the slot 43. Land portions 44 extend in a generally horizontal direction. The land portions 44 are provided such that one land portion 44 is provided on each side of an opening 45 in the wall of the slot 43. The wall of the first slot 43 further comprises sloping portions 46 located intermediate the lands 44 and the opening 45.

The sloping portions 46 converge adjacent one another such that the opening 45 is only narrow. By providing only a narrow opening 45, the likelihood of accidental or unwanted removal of the flexible tail portion 42 through the opening 45 is reduced. In this embodiment of the invention, an elastic deformation of the sloping portions 46 is required in order to remove the flexible tail portion 42 through the opening 45.

The head portion 41 of the cable tie 40 further comprises a second slot 47 into which the flexible tail portion 42 may be inserted after it has been passed through slot 43 and then looped around. The second slot 47 comprises a pair of land portions 48 adapted to retain the flexible tail portion 42 within the slot 47. In addition, the second slot 47 comprises an opening 49 in an outer wall of the head portion 41. The flexible tail portion 42 retained in both the first slot 43 and he second slot 47 may be removed from the head portion 41 through the opening 49 when release of the cable tie 40 is desired.

The head portion 41 further comprises an additional pair of locking lugs 50 located in the first slot 43. These additional locking lugs 50 are adapted to engage with a series of grooves 51 located on the rounded edges 52 of the flexible tail portion 42. Thus, the tail is locked into place by grooves and locking lugs that are located at three locations, namely, underneath the tail and at the rounded edges of the tail. This improves the retention of the tail in the head.

In FIG. 9, the cable tie 40 of FIG. 8 is shown when in use. The flexible tail portion 42 has been pushed through the first slot 43 in the head portion 41. In this embodiment of the invention, the grooves 51 provided on the rounded edges 52 of the tail 42 are engaged by locking lugs (obscured) located in the slot 43, while the grooves 53 on the lower surface of the tail 42 are engaged by a further locking lug 54 which serves to retain the tail 42.

The slot 43 is provided with recessed portions 55 wherein the rounded edge 52 of the tail portion 42 may be located temporarily while the tail portion 42 is being removed from the head portion 41 through opening 45. Recessed portions 55 provide a region into which an edge of the tail can move during manipulation of the tail to remove the tail from the head portion. This facilitates removal of the tail.

Once the tail portion 42 has been passed into and retained in the first slot 43, excess tail 42 may be looped around and retained in the second slot 47.

It has now surprisingly been found that a quick-release, reusable cable tie can be constructed by providing an opening in an outer wall of the head portion of a cable tie. This cable tie is cheaper to produce and easier to use than other reusable cable ties presently available, and is sufficiently durable to be used many times over.

Cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be used to secure cables or wires together. The cable ties may be easily released, for example, by simply twisting the tail in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction. Only minimal twist pressure is required to release the cable ties. Cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention release faster and more easily than presently available releasable cable ties. Indeed, cable ties in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be released using only one hand, or indeed using only two fingers or a finger and thumb. This enables the cable tie to be easily released when required, even if the cable tie is secured in confined areas or in areas of restricted access or vision.

In some embodiments, the cable tie in accordance with the present invention includes locking lugs located at two or more, or even three or more locations, within the head section, to secure locking strength. In some embodiments, the cable tie may have an inbuilt keeper section in the tail for receiving and holding any surplus length of the tail. This may eliminate the need to cut off any unused tail and enhances neatness in use. This also avoids the need to dispose of any severed tail sections, thereby minimising the environmental impact arising from severed tail sections. Further, the housed surplus tail section, which may be located in the keeper section in the head of the cable tie, will be positioned such that it extends over the tail portion that is retained in the head, thereby minimising the risk of accidental release.

It will be appreciated that the cable tie of the present invention, in providing an easily releasable cable tie, avoids possible difficulties that frequently arise where conventional cable ties are used to secure bundles of electrical wires or other similar types of wires or coaxial cables, etc, in order to release the cable tie. In instances where non-releasable cable ties are used, the operator will typically remove the cable tie by cutting the cable tie. A sharp blade or knife is required to cut through the secured cable tie. Using a sharp instrument to cut the secured cable tie presents a significant risk of accidentally cutting into or through the bundled wires, especially where the cable tie has been applied to wires located in a confined region or in a different location. The potential risk of accidentally cutting through wires could result in a serious electrical fault or a fatal accident. This risk is largely obviated by the present invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope. 

1. A cable tie comprising a flexible tail portion connected to a head portion, said head portion comprising a first slot, through which said flexible tail portion may be passed and retained, said first slot being in communication with an opening in an outer wall of said head portion, said opening allowing removal of the flexible tail portion therethrough, and wherein an upper surface of the flexible tail portion is arcuate in order to facilitate removal of the flexible tail portion through the opening.
 2. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the head portions tapers from the first slot and the opening.
 3. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the cable tie comprises a second slot, the second slot being in communication with both the first slot and the opening.
 4. A cable tie according to claim 3 wherein the second slot is adapted to retain a portion of the flexible tail portion, the flexible tail portion having already been passed through the first slot.
 5. A cable tie according to claim 3 wherein the second slot is located intermediate the first slot and the opening.
 6. A cable tie according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of an upper wall of at least one of said first and second slots slopes upwardly towards the opening.
 7. A cable tie according to claim 3 wherein at least one of said first and second slots comprises one or more land portions adapted to assist in retaining the flexible tail portion with the slot.
 8. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the first slot includes retaining means.
 9. A cable tie according to claim 8 wherein the retaining means comprises one or more locking lugs adapted to engage with a series of grooves on one or more surfaces of the flexible tail portion.
 10. A cable tie according to claim 9 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one locking lug adapted to engage with a series of grooves on each of an upper and lower surface of the flexible tail portion.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the flexible tail portion comprises side portions interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces.
 13. A cable tie according to claim 12 wherein the side portions are rounded or beveled.
 14. A cable tie according to claim 12 wherein the side portions are provided with a series of grooves adapted to engage with one or more further retaining means located in the first slot.
 15. A cable tie according to claim 14 wherein the first slot comprises a plurality of retaining means adapted to engage with the series of grooves in the upper surface, the lower surface and one or more side portions of the flexible tail portion.
 16. A cable tie according to claim 1 wherein the cable tie is fabricated from nylon. 